The Ministry of Employment and Labor (Minister Kim Young-hoon) published the “Major Accident White Paper: 2025 Only Practice Can Prevent Risks” on December 16 (Tuesday). This white paper is a collection of case studies that deeply analyze not only the technical causes of major accidents but also the safety and health management systems, organizational culture, and work practices of companies. It plays an important role in preventing industrial accidents, being used as educational material for employees in industrial sites and as study material in university safety-related departments.
The “2025 Major Accident White Paper” analyzes the causes of recent fire, explosion, and poisoning accidents that resulted in multiple casualties from various perspectives and examines the fundamental causes of accident recurrence through cases of workplaces where accidents occurred more than three times. It also reviews accident cases and safety rules for mobile scaffolds, aerial work platforms, and logging operations, where major accidents frequently occur.
In particular, this year, the appendix includes the status and implications of the 71 cases of the “Major Accident Punishment Act” rulings that have been handed down so far. It contains the details of the rulings, major violation provisions, and the standards for fulfilling the obligations of the “Major Accident Punishment Act” and the roles of management responsibility presented by the rulings.
Minister Kim Young-hoon emphasized, “Industrial accidents can be prevented when both labor and management recognize themselves as the main agents of industrial safety and actively participate,” and added, “I hope this publication of the accident white paper will be an opportunity for both labor and management to think about safety once more and change the field.” The major accident white paper can be viewed for free on the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s website and e-book platforms (Kyobo Bookstore, Yes24, Aladin), and the book can be purchased at general bookstores in December.